Top rivals of the upcoming Proton e.MAS 7 EV

A new chapter in the Malaysian electric vehicle market is set to begin with the launch of the Proton e.MAS 7 EV, marking a significant step towards sustainable mobility in the country. Jointly developed with Geely, the e.MAS 7 is a C-segment SUV built on the advanced Global Modular Architecture (GMA) platform.

Tested by Malaysians for Malaysians, the Proton EV has gone through over 700,000 man-hours and 10 million kilometres of testing, ensuring it is ready for the road and safe to drive. It is designed to cater to the needs of modern Malaysian consumers, providing a perfect blend of spaciousness, practicality, and versatility. 

The bookings of the Proton e.MAS 7 are now underway in Malaysia with the launch slated to be held by the end of this year. It is offered in two variants - Prime and Premium, with an estimated price starting at RM 120k. In today’s article, we will be comparing the upcoming Proton EV with the top-selling non-national EVs in Malaysia, giving prospective buyers a glimpse of how the first-ever Malaysia EV stacks up against the competition.

As per the vehicle sales report 1H 2024 released by the Malaysian Automotive Association, the top-selling electric cars in Malaysia are - BYD Seal, Tesla Model 3, BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin, and BMW iX2. However, if we consider the dimensions as well as prices, the Proton e.MAS 7 rivals the likes of the Neta X, GAC Aion Y Plus, Leapmotor C10, and Chery Omoda E5.

Proton e.MAS 7 vs Rivals: Price

Models	Price
Proton e.MAS 7	RM 120,000 (Estimated)
Neta X	RM 119,888 - 135,888
GAC Aion Y Plus	RM 119,800 - 135,800
Chery Omoda E5	RM 146,800
BYD Atto 3	RM 149,800 - 167,800
Leapmotor C10	RM 149,000

As evident from the above table, the Proton e.MAS 7 is competitively priced at around RM 120,000, positioning it as an affordable option in comparison to its rivals. The Chinese EVs, like the GAC Aion Y Plus, and Neta X, offer similar pricing, while models like the BYD Atto 3, Leapmotor C10, and Chery Omoda 5 are priced higher. Thus, the Proton EV has the potential to attract budget-conscious buyers looking for a homegrown EV option.

Proton e.MAS 7 vs Rivals: Dimensions

Specs	e.MAS 7	Neta X	Omoda E5	Atto 3	C10	Aion Y Plus
Length	4,615 mm	4,619 mm	4,420 mm	4,455 mm	4,739 mm	4535 mm
Width	1,901 mm	1,860 mm	1,830 mm	1,875 mm	1,900 mm	1870 mm
Height	1,670 mm	1,628 mm	1,590 mm	1,615 mm	1,680 mm	1650 mm
Wheelbase	2,750 mm	2,770 mm	2,630 mm	2,720 mm	2,825 mm	2,750 mm

In terms of dimensions, the Proton e.MAS 7 stands out with its competitive size. It is slightly shorter than the Neta X and Aion Y Plus, but longer than rivals like the Omoda E5 and Atto 3. With a width of 1,901 mm, the electric vehicle promises to offer a spacious cabin, outperforming the Neta X and Omoda E5. The 2,750-mm wheelbase ensures ample interior space, slightly shorter than the C10, which has the largest dimensions in the bunch.

Proton e.MAS 7 vs Rivals: Power and Range

Specs	e.MAS 7	Neta X	Omoda E5	Atto 3	C10	Aion Y Plus
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD	RWD	FWD
Power	218 PS	163 PS	201 PS	201 hp	218 PS	204 PS
Torque	320 Nm	210 Nm	340 Nm	310 Nm	320 Nm	225 Nm
0-100 kmph	6.9 sec	9.5 sec	7.6 sec	7.3 sec	7.5 sec	8.5 sec
Battery	60.22 kWh	62 kWh	61 kWh	60.48 kWh	69.9 kWh	63.2 kWh
Range	410 km	480 km	430 km	480 km	424 km	430 km

The Proton e.MAS 7 is powered by a single electric motor delivering a maximum power of 218 PS and a peak torque of 320 Nm of torque, enabling the EV to hit the century sprint in 6.9 seconds. With these numbers, the Proton model outperforms rivals like the Neta X and Aion Y Plus. 

It uses Geely’s Aegis short-blade lithium iron phosphate battery offering a range of 410 km, which is competitive but slightly lower than the Neta X and Atto 3. 

Notably, the C10 is the most powerful EV in the group with 218 PS, while the Neta X and Atto 3 lead in range at 480 km. Overall, the e.MAS 7 strikes a good balance of power and range.

Proton e.MAS 7 vs Rivals: Features

The upcoming Proton EV is a well-equipped EV offering a suite of high-end features to customers. Some of the worth mentioning bits are - automatic LED headlamps, active high beam control, pop-out door handles, a  15.4-inch infotainment unit, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16-speaker sound system, automatic air conditioning system, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charging pad, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Similar to the e.MAS 7, other EVs in the question also come packed with several modern creature comforts, making the competition quite intense.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Proton e.MAS 7 is set to cause a stir in Malaysia's EV market with competitive pricing, advanced features, and strong performance. It will also benefit from Proton’s expansive sales network and strong brand loyalty, helping it stand out against formidable Chinese rivals. 

Also read: Proton e.MAS 7: Top 7 reasons this new EV is turning heads!